The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-16
account kept with any of the persons who fu,


nish the supplies
Stops and waste are thrown away or fed to |
hogs owned by the warden. They would feed
thirty to fifty hogs owned by the State, or could
be Sold Coal is supplied by the wagonload. |
from time to time, by one of the bondsmen OF
the warden, who is also city weighmaster and |
weighs the prison coal, but it is not again
weighed by the prison officers. No effort has
been made to contract by quantities, nor has any
been directed, to the end of ascer
tanning bow much could be saved to the State
by procuring supplies in this way. There no
entries in the hbook, from day to day, of the
receipts and expenditures by the prison officers
They are made only by the clerk, from month to
month. just prior to the meeting of the board Of
directors, from statements furnished by the
warden No entries have been made in the cash
book since Dec 81, 1886.
Noledger accounts are kept with contractors
on books of the prison, but payments received
from time to time are noted on time book and
cash book only. Contractors are not required
to make monthly settlements. Some of them
have been permitted to go several months with
out settlement, particularly Perrin g. Calf who
are Low indebted to the State SC, 900. and they
are withholding the money, claiming that the
State owes them 500 900 for erecting of the
shops, several years ago, for which written
contract was ever made with them, and there is
no record of such contract.
The warden's statement showed 81 ,313 60 to
be in the general fund. in the visitors, 81, Alb 81
and in the convicts, So, 635; total, S.. 362.2 q.
But he produced from his safe only 1900
in cash, saying that the balance was in the Citi-
zens' National Bank of Jacksonville, to his
credit warden. He claimed that this
kept separate from his individual account, but
no account with the bank is on the books of the
prison. He refused to accompany the committee,
or permit them to examine his bank account
He also refused to show his pass-book of depos-
its as warden. When asked for the checks he
had drawn as warden on the bank, he said they
were destroyed, and that he could not find check
or a n He fha NIT nd
no right under the law to examine his bank
count as warden, but afterwards he sent mes
sengsr to the bank who brought 81, 162. q in
money. This made up the So, 1862 81 Two of
the committee went to the bank but it was
closed and the officers had gone to Louisville.
The warden did not accord that hearty assistance
in the investigation of his accounts which would
commend public official.
In conclusion. the committee said that the
purchasing and distributing of supplies and the
keeping of accounts at the prison is so loose as
to invite and encourage dishonest practices.
Their certain detection is impossible. and yet
this system, or want of system, has been in
vogue at the prison for fifteen years. John
Horn, of Now Albany, the only director acces-
slble to the committee. as his colleague, Il. j.
Wilson, is out of the State, and II. V. Norval is
sick, stated that since his election director,
two years ago, the directors have never exam
ined the prison system of accounts, the cash
bank accounts of the warden Nor did they
ever attempt to ascertain how much could be
large quantities. Nor have they inquired, when
auditing bills, if the supplies had been delivered.
The chief labor of the directors, Mr.
Horn said. was to examine the prices
charged for supplies, look at the footings
of the bills on the books and inspect the prison
and hear complaints On this account the COM
mittee concluded that 1.-THE directors are censur-
ably negligent in performing their duties" The
hospital management of Dr. Graham, the super
intendent, and NJ. V. Day, the steward. was
commended.
AS if these facts were not sufficient 10 COM
| plete the Indictment, the committee added that
the eicers and employees had not been paid
since Oct. 81, 1886 The supplies are not prompt
y paid for. and on this and salary account there
| is debt of ST., 553 H." The recommendations
| of the committee are that different system of
management and keeping accounts, which shall
! be the same IN both prisons, should be insti-
| tuted. 1t is also recommended that the officers
| responsible for the condition of the prison be
discontinued. The report was submitted only as
part of what is to be done since the chairman
stated that other evidence was to be
obtained, which would delay a final
report several days. It was signed
by the chairman, Senator Barrett and Trippett.
| Senator Moon, of the committee. did not go to
Jeffersonville on account of sickness, but Sena-
| tor Davis filed his place and rendered valuable
| assistance. which the report acknowledges.
| Senator Duncan of Upton, was required ac-
count Of sickness in his family, to leave the
prison before the Investigation was closed.
| When the report was read Senator Campbell en-
deavored to have 200 copies printed, but the
| committee expressed wish to complete the
/ evidence before pursuing this course The two
| divisions Of the House committee on prisons viii
be- respectively, in Jeffersonville and Michigan
| City to-day. At the prison in the latter place
] the Senate committee is also carrying ar
! investigation.
l. 1t was pertinent, as a preliminary to what be
/ had to say in reference to the Democratic bluff
| in the form of the Senates special committees
| investigation of the management of the benevo
! lent institutions, for Senator Huston to express
| an opinion in regard to the report on the south
| ern prison. Democrats do not feel at ali com
| Portable when this gentleman arises. They
| know that in excoriating their partisan acts Of
| tyranny in protecting their party associates
against whom various charges are made, and il
| attempting to buldoze the minority, ne is capa
BILE of meeting them on their ground. With al
energy and forcefulness Of expression that il
not the less raking because it lacks the strength
of slugger and the whoop-la of a roaring poll
tician he assaults the Democratic position will
arguments and facts that leave his opponent
nothing to support them. When the prison
report was read, yesterday. Senate
Huston. like every one else, surprised a
the strong confirmation it gave to Republican
charges. and it went under the cuticle of Sen
ator Barrett for his colleague to say: "It is graf
flying to the minority that the majority ca
make report like that 1t is worth all com
mendation for partisans to forget party an
make such fair setting forth of abuses in tn
administration Of officers for whom the Demo
cratic party is responsible"
81 do not desire commentator" testify re
piled Senator Barrett. at is not question @
party, of individual responsibility. There is n
necessity for commentator, for the minorit
report of the committee shows alike the respor
sibility of truthful investigation and fair report
with the majority"
Senator Huston then called UP the motion
, Senator French to reconsider the vote on tn
Shively resolution under which the special con
mttee to investigate the benevolent institution
was appointed. Since that motion was mad
Senator French has become chairman of ths
committee. He gave rs his reason for moving
, reconsideration a desire to let the standing con
mittee on the institutions pursue the investg
i tionc Soma arouaintad with Damoc ratio tactic